Insertional mutagenesis

Insertional mutagenesis occurs when a new piece of genetic material, like a virus or a DNA segment, inserts itself into a genome at a random location. This insertion can disrupt or change the function of nearby genes, potentially causing them to malfunction or behave abnormally. Such events can lead to issues like cancer or genetic disorders if critical genes are affected. The process is important in research and gene therapy because it helps scientists understand gene functions, but it also poses risks when unintended gene disruptions happen during treatments.